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tips for newcomers on pneumatic tools

Stone Conversations : Archive 1 : Message 00159

From: Seamus O'Mahoney <omahoney@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 20:23:04 -0400
Subject: tips for newcomers on pneumatic tools

Walter Arnold wrote:

Quoted text begins."You're probably gripping the tool too tightly."
End of quote.


True enough; Because I mostly carve granite meaning I
almost always have to grip everything tightly,I wrap
cloth tape around air hammers, chisels, hammers, and
even hand chisels. This gives me more "traction" and I
do not have to grip the tools as tightly as on raw
metal. Also I change my grip constantly for different
positions every few minutes. You can increase the
quality of the circulation to your hand by squeezing a
small rubber ball while you are driving or while you are
surfing the net (click with your left hand).

Quoted text begins."As to white fingers (mani morto),"
End of quote.


I still get White fingers a few times a year after
carving for 37 years ( 26 with an air hammer). I have to
keep my shop at 57 degrees or above or they turn white.
And I always get it after clearing my driveway of snow
with my snowblower. But Walter is correct, there are no
serious long term effects.

Lastly, I use lots of power tools and avail myself of
the large saws here in Barre, VT. It may seem that the
work is more frenetic but this get my work done sooner
and affords me more time with my family. Hand tools may
have been used more often in previous times, but they
also worked longer hours for much less pay. And carvers
in those days had a much higher incidence of
tubercolosis and silicosis before "More modern" machines
reversed this. This increased the quality and quantity
of one's life.

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